Nepal, hepatitis E epidemic: 9 dead and over 6 thousand infected
Kathmandu ( AsiaNews) - There is an outbreak of hepatitis
E in Nepal, with at least nine confirmed deaths so far, 80 people in critical
condition and more than 6 thousand cases of infection in the city of Biratnagar
in the east of the country. The sudden epidemic broke out about two weeks ago,
after the government distributed contaminated water. The Ministry of Health has
tried to reassure the population , but doctors accuse the authorities of not
doing enough.
Meanwhile, people have started to besiege health centers, clinics and hospitals
to check whether they have contracted the virus. Over the past 15 days between
400 and 500 people have asked to be screened, but the government has not
provided any financial support to the facilities to conduct the exams.
According Mahananda Mishra, president of the Nepal Medical Association Koshi
Zonal, at least one member per family in the area of Biratnahar has contracted
the virus and this is why the situation could get worse "if the Ministry
of Health does not send special teams with medicines and doctors ".
Local sources claim that the epidemic was caused by the water distributed by
the Nepal Water Supply Corporation, without prior testing. Experts say it is
"embarrassing" that the government should distribute water that kills
people .
Hepatitis E virus is an infection of the liver caused by HEV. Transmission
occurs through the fecal -oral route and infection is transmitted in poor
hygienic conditions, mainly through contaminated water. Nepal is ranked second in
the world for its access to water resources. Despite this, efforts to bring
clean water to the cities are slow, where often the drainage system pipes often
converge with those of drinking water.
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05/05/2022 13:24
